Oregon Trails Wine Company is a brand developed by AWDirect, a wine conglomerate which handles everything from sourcing grapes to designing labels.
If this wine is an indicator they don’t skimp on the winemaking. This is a solid Pinot Noir from an excellent vintage at a good price that captures well the flavor profile of Willamette Valley.
The focused nose shows strawberry, clove-inflected cherry, and the distinctive crushed rock aromas found in Oregon Pinot Noir. There is a slight leafiness when the corked is popped which turns to dried mushroom notes with aeration. The barest hint of background oak highlights the fruit.
Fresh strawberry and dried mushroom hints also show up on the simple but polished palate. Medium bodied and supple, with an extended, juicy though lean midpalate, the medium length finish features very fine tannins that come on slowly adding some taut energy to the wine, supporting a refreshing, candied fruit top note.
Glossy but balanced with nothing pumped up, this is real comfort wine. Relaxed, soothing and tender like Katie Melua’s The Walls of the World
Score: 89
Price: $20 (purchase here)
Alc: 13.2%
Exploring the Philosophy of Food and Wine 